Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Simon.
Blake, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Lafayette, LA during the crack era, 1987 to be exact. My biological parents were involved with drugs in various ways and as a result, I was raised by someone else. The woman who raised me was caring and loving but was not in great health. We later moved to Houston, TX before she passed away when I was 11 years of age.
As I transitioned through middle and high school, I lost focus and became very angry. Due to my participation in sports, I regained a bit of focus and tamed my attitude but never focused on life after high school. In 2005, I graduated from Thurgood Marshall high school in Missouri City, TX and found myself without a plan and in a dark place once again.
Eventually, I enrolled at Prairie View A&M University in the spring of 2007. It was a life changing experience. After receiving my B.A. in Criminal Justice in the spring of 2011, I began my career in higher education as a financial aid counselor in the fall of 2011.
I quickly realized that there was a void I could fill in higher education as a young African-American male professional with experience, knowledge, and the ability to connect with youth. In August of 2015, I resigned and created “The Transition” platform which has impacted thousands of students across the nation through thought-provoking talks, innovative session, practical curriculums, and The Transition Guide & Journal: A Simple Tool for Students to Help Maximize the College Experience.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road as I previously indicated. I overcame abandonment, depression, and many other obstacles. As I grew older, I realized that the adversity I was faced with gave me my power!
Blake Simon & Associates (BSA) – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is Blake Simon & Associates. My platform is BlakeMotivates and my moniker is Professor B. I specialize in helping students maximize the first-year college experience and increase retention. I would say I am known for my passion. I believe that the thing that sets me apart is my consistency.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am very proud of the success of my books! In the fall of 2018, my alma mater Prairie View A&M University purchased over 2000 copies of my student workbook “The Transition Guide & Journal!”
But the proudest moment of my career was deciding to act on my passion by resigning from my full-time job, which has been leading me directly to my purpose. From the day I submitted my resignation letter to the present day, I have not stopped Moving HOPE!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blakemotivates.com
- Phone: 7135840770
- Email: info@blakemotivates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakemotivates/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blakemotivates/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/blakemotivates
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfM-GuF8Lkz5hLsOrGqjQ3g
Image Credit:
Mark Landry, Jordan Washington, Tiffany Malone
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